AbstractHistory

In the 1870s a girl is born under a tree - her birth tree - chosen to give her strength and wisdom. When the tree is cut down she follows it into the white man's world, working as a cook for the big house on the island. Her tree has become a kitchen table, one she will pass down through successive generations as a legacy - a way of carving out her family stories. Now, generations later, a young man and his mother fight for ownership of the table. - back cover, Currency Press imprint (2007)

Notes

Developed during a 2002 residency at Cite Internationale des Arts, Paris.

Known under the title 'Cookie's Table' until 2006.

This play was assisted through HotHouse Theatre's A Month in the Country residential program, funded jointly by Arts NSW and Albury City. A HotHouse Theatre commission assisted by: Nelson Meers, Myer Foundation, Arts NSW, Besen Family Foundation and with support from: Arts NSW Indigenous Strategic Projects, City of Sydney and Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund.

Production Details

Featured, but not workshopped, at the 2005 Australian National Playwright's Conference.

Produced in Tokyo, 1-7 November 2006 as part of the Dramatic Australia Festival at the Repertory Theatre KAZE. Performed in Japanese with translation by Keiji Sawada and Rei Sudo.

Australian premiere production produced by Griffin Theatre Company at SBW Stables Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, 17 August 2007. Directed by Marion Potts.